Laboratory

Our geotechnical laboratory offers high quality testing of soil samples. The results and their correct interpretation of these tests allow for a more accurate geotechnical design.
They result in a better understanding of soil behaviour, for design and construction phase of the project under consideration.

Indentification tests and determination of soil type

Soil can be divided into several types. Main soil types considered here are gravel, sand, loam, clay and peat. A first simple subdivision can be made on the basis of the grain size of the particles. Furthermore knowledge of the consistency limits is often important additional information to fully identify the soil type.

Density

The material soil exists of three components: the grains, water and any entrapped air. Depending on the relative importance of each component in a volume of soil, and how the particles are positioned in relation to each other, the soil will exhibit a specific behaviour.
For example, for road or quaywall construction, a suitable soil with the right compaction for resistance to heavy loads without too great settlement is needed.

Shear resistance

Whether you are, as a designer or a contractor, involved in the construction of a bridge or a tunnel, a dike or an excavation, retaining structures or foundations ... the shear resistance of the soil plays a very important role in the calculation of the most critical failure mechanism. Knowledge of these geotechnical parameters is a must!

Deformation characteristics

Different soil types show a typical behaviour as their mechanical properties can be quite different.
Clays are e.g. far less permeable than sands and in general also more compressible.
Permeability obviously plays an important role fort waterretaining structures such as dikes, and in design of a ground water lowering.
In foundation design attention should also be paid to possible settlements!

Our complete testing package

Show language picker

Geotechnics

Geotechniekvo.be